Superintendent's Report

We welcomed 60 percent of our students to in-person learning in October, and at every campus I visited, I heard a common theme: teachers and students are glad to be back. And while the transition to include more in-person students has had its challenges, our teachers have been incredible and our parents have been amazingly supportive. We are all moving through uncharted waters and we are doing the best we can.

 

Election Day will be here soon. I hope you were able to watch a presentation on the Penny Swap/Prop A referendum. If passed, the District would have $3.3 million dedicated to our schools with no tax rate increase. If it fails, the District would have a budget deficit of approximately $2.99 million. To view the Penny Swap presentation from October 15, click here.

 

In October, the Board discussed the R2R Plan and the district's staffing and enrollment trends, reviewed results from a recent staff wellness survey and reviewed information on the Penny Swap election.

 

See a synopsis of the October meetings below. Full Board agenda packets are online.

R2R and the 2020-21 School Year

Trustees received a COVID-19 report which included updates on staffing, assessment/grading and current enrollment. See high-level points below:

• Approximately 30 employees are working remotely due to medical reasons.
• Since August 1, 19 employees have resigned.
• Curriculum staff are working with teachers on instructional strategies and assessments that are flexible and provide a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum (GVC).
• As of October 20, 60% of students are in-person and 40% are remote.
  
• While 46 students withdrew to attend private schools for 2020-21, 74 new students from private schools enrolled in Eanes ISD.

View enrollment as of Oct. 20.

Staff Survey Results

The Board received an update on a recent staff wellness survey in which 483 employees participated. See high-level points below.

• 58% reported feeling stressed
• 48% reported they are unable to maintain a healthy balance between work and home.
• Teachers feel the majority of stress in engaging students in two different environments, managing class time and managing technology or resources.
• Teachers do not feel they have enough time to do their job and take care of themselves/their family.

Administration recommended providing additional support and training around self-care and stress reduction and investigating streamlining synchronous learning. The District Leadership Team (DLT) will discuss opportunities for additional time for staff.

DEI Advisory Committee Announced

The Board approved 27 members to the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Committee, a newly formed formal advisory group that will report to the board.

The District received 263 applicants which were divided into students, staff, parents and community members. Eanes ISD Trustees identified committee members based on experience or interest and with Dr. Gooden’s assistance. Consideration was given to people with an interest in DEI work or those with a particular expertise in DEI, as well as to the diversity of the committee itself.

 

See Advisory Committee members online.

Penny Swap/Prop A Update

The Board reviewed information on the proposed Penny Swap/Prop A referendum that would authorize Eanes ISD to move two pennies from the district’s debt budget (interest and sinking) to the operating (maintenance and operations) budget. The swap would keep an estimated $3.3 million of local tax revenue in the community that would not be subject to recapture.

 

See presentation online.

See Penny Swap video.